Recipe 20: Garlic Bread Pizza Loaf

🍕 Garlic Bread Pizza Loaf

Serves: 4–6

Total Time: ~30 minutes

This isn’t your average pizza night — it’s pizza meets garlic bread heaven. You start with a buttery Italian loaf, bake it into garlicky perfection, then load it up with melted cheese, pepperoni, and roasted veggies. Skip the sauce on top — you dip it instead, which keeps everything crisp and perfect for leftovers or weekday lunches.

🧂 Ingredients

• 1 large Italian loaf (or French bread)

• ½ cup butter, softened

• 3 cloves garlic, minced (divided use — half for butter, half for toppings)

• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped (optional)

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

• 1 cup pepperoni slices (or your favorite protein: sausage, chicken, etc.)

• 1 small onion, thinly sliced

• 1 small bell pepper, thinly sliced (any color)

• ½ cup sliced mushrooms (optional)

• 1–2 cups pizza or marinara sauce, warmed, for dipping

• Olive oil or spray (for sautéing veggies)

• Optional: red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning

👩‍🍳 Directions

🔹 1. Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.

🔹 2. Make the Garlic Bread

1. Slice the Italian loaf in half lengthwise (like a giant sandwich).

2. In a small bowl, mix softened butter, half the minced garlic, and parsley.

3. Spread evenly across both halves of the bread.

4. Bake cut-side up for 8–10 minutes, until lightly toasted and golden.

🔹 3. Prep the Veggies

While the bread toasts:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil.

2. Add onions, peppers, mushrooms, and remaining garlic.

3. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.

4. Set aside.

🔹 4. Build the Pizza

1. Remove the toasted garlic bread from the oven.

2. Sprinkle both halves generously with mozzarella and Parmesan.

3. Add pepperoni and sautéed veggies evenly over the top.

4. Return to oven and bake 8–10 minutes more, until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

🔹 5. Slice & Serve

• Slice into strips or squares.

• Serve warm with individual bowls of marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.

🛒 Shopping List

Bread

• 1 Italian loaf

Dairy

• Butter

• Mozzarella cheese

• Parmesan cheese

Produce

• Garlic

• Parsley

• Onion

• Bell pepper

• Mushrooms (optional)

Pantry

• Olive oil

• Pepperoni or toppings of choice

• Pizza or marinara sauce

• Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes

⭐ Will’s Tip: Leftovers reheat perfectly in the air fryer or toaster oven — 3–4 minutes at 350°F and they’re crisp like new. Perfect for lunchboxes or late-night snacks.